Britain's first female fast jet pilot returned to the skies to launch a new aviation academy that hopes to attract more women to the industry.

Dr Jo Salter officially opened the academy set up by Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) by piloting a Diamond DA42 Twin star aircraft on Saturday, which was also marking Girls in Aviation Day, at Cranfield Airport in Bedfordshire.

MAF said it was concerned by figures showing the global aviation industry would need about 1.4 million new professionals by 2034.

Salter, who made history in 1992 when she became the first British woman to fly a Tornado, said: "Seize the opportunities… just step out and give it a go, however scary it may feel."

"The hardest thing we've got to do is get over ourselves - don't ever let anyone tell you what you can and can't do," she added.

MAF, which delivers food, medical supplies and healthcare workers to hard-to-reach communities around the world, was co-founded by former World War Two pilot Betty Greene 80 years ago with other wartime pilots.

Jo Lamb, communications officer for MAF, said there was an "eye-watering shortage of aviation professionals in the industry" and they hoped to help tackle that.

"It's thought that by 2034 there's going to be a 1.4 million personnel gap [globally]," she said.

They are especially keen more women will follow the footsteps Greene, and join the aviation industry.

Sophie Jones, 19, MAF's youngest engineering trainee, is about to begin the second year of her aeronautical engineering course.

She is one of only four young women on her course and joined because she also has a passion for mission work.

Jones said, "It was fantastic to meet Jo today – she's such an inspiration."

She added when deciding on her career, she did not worry it might be male-dominated.

"It's just an industry that I have found a path and a career in and I'm just making my way through it and if that helps to change it and to bring more women in then that's absolutely amazing," she said.

The academy, based at Cranfield Airport, is open to aspiring pilots and engineers with no previous flying experience.

Successful applicants must commit to serving with the charity overseas for at least six years.

Donovan Palmer, chief executive of MAF International, said: "[Our] services are needed now more than ever to reach vulnerable, cut-off communities facing the devastating impacts of climate change, poverty and war."

Salter said her story showed the importance of women in aviation.

She said: "We need more women in aviation, but we also need to recognise and believe in the talents, skills and potential that each of us possesses.

"Never underestimate human capacity, especially if you're a woman. If Greene could do it, we can do it, girls!"

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